The power of a good laugh once in a while

Sunday

Jun 9, 2013 at 12:01 AMJun 9, 2013 at 7:43 PM

Don’t you feel good when you smile and someone smiles back at you? I really enjoy a funny movie or joke I receive in my email that generates a “gut” laugh. It continues to make me feel happy as I sail into my next project. Laughter is magic.

Mary E. Neil

Don’t you feel good when you smile and someone smiles back at you? I really enjoy a funny movie or joke I receive in my email that generates a “gut” laugh. It continues to make me feel happy as I sail into my next project. Laughter is magic. There have been studies on the effects of a good laugh and how it stimulates the immune system and increases the release of endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers and protectors against depression. My marriage of 62 years has often been saved by laughter. You can’t always control the events around you, but can control your attitude toward them, like being helpful and encouraging. That alone will make your feel good about yourself. That’s the beginning. Every morning at breakfast, I read the newspaper from cover to cover, saving the comic pages for last. As I finish my final sips of coffee, I read the comics from top to bottom. That fills my brain with a couple of laughs and gives me a light-hearted approach to the work ahead. My Jazzercise class is also a source of “feel good” because the music is uplifting and the exercise is fun, jazz dance moves. I help my students laugh at themselves and at me and to help keep us grounded, focused and up on the new music. In other words, we have fun. I tell my students, thanks to them I go to play instead of going to work! I hope you are into exercise, but if you are not, there are a bunch of other stuff that you can do to smile throughout the day. For example, if you are into reading, check out the humor section of the bookstore. If you have the time, you could probably spend the day there. Playing with a pet, or, better yet, play with your children or grandchildren. They are always laughing and having fun. This would be the time to do something silly — play hide and seek or kick the can. Be careful, this is like exercise. Make time with spouse or friends to do fun activities like bowling, miniature golf or karaoke. Boy, if I did karaoke you would laugh until your sides ached. All these activities are available through the Senior Olympic program, and the people you meet there are fun with a capital “F!” There are so many happy places you can go in our community. Humor lightens your burdens, inspires hopes and connects you to others. Humor and laughter can be an effective self-care and care-giving tool. The body, mind and spirit all benefit from its regular use. We can deliberately increase the amount of laughter we experience in our workplace, as well as systematically promote its use with children, youth and families. From my “Warm and Fuzzy” notebook comes this quote: “He who angers you controls you. Peace within starts with a smile.” Only you can control you and your approach to daily life. Take charge now and, like the song says, “Don’t worry, be happy” and have a great day. School’s out. Watch out for the kids running around and having fun.